Extinguisher mountings

ABSTRACT

A fire extinguisher mounting is disclosed in which the extinguisher is retained in a mounting frame by a pressure plate assembly actuated by an over-centre mechanism. The over-centre mechanism holds the extinguisher secure against vibration and the like and comprises a toggle arrangement actuated by a quickrelease handle.

' United States Patent Sentinella Nov. 25, 1975 EXTINGUISHER MOUNTINGS 2,650,786 9/1953 Flatt 248/154 x 2,698,597 1/1955 Buck 248/313 x [76] Inventor: V ctor Edward Sentmella, 68 Dome 3,041,030 @1962 Heimrichm wig/DIG 7 Caterham, Surrey, England 3,737,133 6/1973 Boecker 1 248/313 [22] Filed: Apr 11 1974 3,823,907 7/1974 Ziaylek 248 313 Appl. No.: 460,174

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 12, 1973 United Kingdom 17774/73 Oct. 18, 1973 United Kingdom 11384/73 U.S. c1 248/313; 211/71 Int. Cl. A62C 33/00; A62C 39/00 Field 6: Search 248/313, 309, 154, 146;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1942 Ponselle 248/154 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brisebois & Kruger [57] ABSTRACT A fire extinguisher mounting is disclosed in which the extinguisher is retained in a mounting frame by a pressure plate assembly actuated by an over-centre mechanism. The over-centre mechanism holds the extinguisher secure against vibration and the like and comprises a toggle arrangement actuated by a quickrelease handle.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 f3 US. Patent N0v.25,.1975 Sheet2of3 3,921,950

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet3of3 3,921,950

EXTINGUISHER MOUNTINGS This invention relates to mountings for fire extinguishers.

It will be readily understood that a mounting for a fire extinguisher should be such that the extinguisher can be rapidly and easily removed from the mounting in an emergency and brought into action. On the other hand, where an extinguisher is provided on a road vehicle, for example, the mounting must be sufficiently secure to prevent the extinguisher being displaced due to shock or vibration as the vehicle is in transit.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved mounting for a fire extinguisher.

The present invention provides a mounting for a fire extinguisher, the mounting comprising:

a frame arranged to receive a fire extinguisher,

securing means having an open and a closed position for releasably securing an extinguisher within the frame, and

manually operable actuating means for moving the securing means from the closed to the open position, wherein the securing means includes an over-centre arrangement to maintain the securing means in its closed position against any tendency, in use, of an extinguisher to move in the frame until the securing means is opened by means of the actuating means.

The frame can comprise a spine having a base-plate at one end to receive the base of an extinguisher and the securing means can comprise a pressure plate assembly arranged to bear upon the top of the extinguisher. Alternatively, the pressure plate assembly can be arranged to bear upon the side or base of an extinguisher.

Where the pressure plate assembly is arranged to bear upon the top of an extinguisher the over-centre arrangement can comprise a toggle connected from the other end of the spine to the pressure plate assembly and the actuating means can comprise an operating arm connected to the toggle.

A substantially U shaped operating arm can be used, each end of which is connected to a respective toggle link, each toggle link being pivotally connected at one end to a respective pressure plate and pivotally connected at the other end to a respective extension arm projecting transversely from the said other end of the spine.

By way of example only, certain illustrative embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective "exploded view ofa fire extinguisher mounting embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operation of the mounting, and

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments.

The mounting shown in the drawings is intended for mounting a fire extinguisher of the type having a cylindrical body about 2 feet long with an actuating mechanism and outlet hose at the top of the body. Whilst the mounting can, of course, be placed in any desired location it has features which make it particularly useful for FIG. 1, the mounting has a vertical spine 1 comprising first and second angle members, 2 and 3, and a crossbar 4. Each angle member has two fixing holes 5 (the view of the holes in member'3 is obscured) by means of which the mounting can be screwed or bolted in a desired location. The angle member 2 has a small plate 6 welded to it to define a channel 7 in which the end of the outlet hose of the extinguisher can be positioned.

At the lower end of the angle members 2 and 3, is welded a horizontal base-plate 8 comprising a square trough 9 made up of four angle pieces 10, ll, l2, l3 welded together. A ring 14 is provided within the trough and welded to it so that the base-plate provides a seating for the base of the extinguisher which it is to mount. 2

At the upper end of the angle members 2 and 3 is welded a member 15 bent at right angles at two points so as to provide a cross-bar 16 and extension arms 17 and 18 projecting horizontally. A strengthening bar 19 is welded atone of its ends to the end of extension arm 17 and at its other end to the base-plate 8. A similar strengthening bar 20 is provided between arm 18 and the base-plate 8.

Each of the arms 17 and 18 has a respective hole 21 drilled transversely through it toreceive a respective threaded bolt 22. The holes 21 are drilled at a position towards the end of the arms 17 and 18 beyond the central plane of the extinguisher when seated in the baseplate (the reason for this is to provide an over-centre operation).

A U shaped operating arm 23 is provided of 34" diameter hollow tubing with the ends ot the U bent back as shown, flattened at the tips and welded to respective toggle links 24 and 25. Each toggle link has a hole 26 at one end to receive a respective threaded bolt 22 and a hole 27 at the other end to receive a respective pivot pin 28. Each toggle link is formed so as to have parallel ends but with a step between the ends so that the planes of the ends are spaced apart. The shape of the toggle links and the position of attachment of the operating arm ends can be clearly seen in FIG. 1.

By means of the holes 26 and bolts 22 the operating arm 23 is pivotally mounted between the arms 17 and 18, lock-nuts 29 being provided to retain the bolts in position.

Each of the holes 27 isused in conjunction with the associated pivot pin 28 for mounting a respective pivot link 30.

Each pivot link 30 is generally "U" shaped with a round'shank 31 at the base of the "U". Each end of the U" is provided with a respective hole 32 to receive the pivot pin 28. Thus, each pivot link can be suspended from its associated toggle link by lining up the holes 27 and 32 (the end of the toggle link being in the fork of the U) and inserting the associated pin 28. Each pin 28 is provided with a respective spring clip 33 at one end, which clips on the shank 31 of the associated toggle link and so retains the pivot pin in position.

Each pivot link 30 has its shank 31 internally threaded to receive a respective bolt 34.

The mounting is completed by a pressure plate assembly 35 which comprises first and second pressure plates 36 and 37 welded to a support member 38. The

use on a road vehicle, train. aircraft, boat or other mov- I support member is of integral construction and comprises lugs 39 and 40, each having a respective hole 41 drilled therein to receive an associated one of the bolts 34, and a'bridging member 42 of inverted U" shape.

Each pressure plate has a pair of round rubber pads 43 each mounted on the underside of the associated pressure plate by means of a respective rivet 44. The pressure plate assembly is bolted to the toggle links by means of the bolts 34 inserted through the holes 41.

The pressure plates 36 and 37 are of an arcuate form (as may best be seen in FIG. 2) and are welded to the supporting member 38 at a small angle to the plane of the lugs 39 and 40. By this means, it is arranged that the four rubber pads 43 exert a substantially normal force on the rounded shoulder of the body an extinguisher placed in the mounting.

The skilled reader will, no doubt, be able to surmise the operation of the mounting from the detailed description of its construction but an account will now be given with reference to the diagrammatic illustration, FIG. 2. I

Referring to the part of FIG. 2 shown in chain dotted outline, it may be seen that the operating arm has been raised. With the arm in this position, an extinguisher can be placed, base first, in the mounting. The operating arm is then lowered to bring the rubber pads into contact with the top shoulder of the extinguisher, the actuating mechanism and pressure gauge (if fitted) of the extinguisher lying within the inverted U shape of the bridging member 42. As the operating arm is lowcred still further the rubber pads are pressed more firmly against the top of the extinguisher and the pressure reaches a maximum when the toggle links are vertical. Still further lowering of the operating arm moves the mechanism over-centre to the position shown in bold outline in FIG. 2, at which point, further movement of the operating arm in the same direction is prevented by the end of the arm meeting the body of the extinguisher. The rubber pads have sufficient resiliency to allow the mechanism to move over-centre and still maintain a firm pressure on the extinguisher in the position shown in bold outline.

It will be clear that because the mechanism has moved over-centre and the base of the operating arm is engaging the body of the extinguisher, any upward movement of the extinguisher is resisted by the mechanism. It should also be noted that the length of the operating arm provides the operator with considerable leverage for forcing the mechanism over-centre whereas this leverage does not apply in the case of movement of the top of the extinguisher body. The result is that any tendency of the extinguisher to tip forward in transit is also resisted by the mechanism. It is. of course, necessary for proper operation of the mounting for an extinguisher of intended size to be used. It is envisaged that several sizes of mounting could be made, each designed for a respective size of commercially available extinguisher.

.To-remove the extinguisher, the operator simply pulls the operating arms outwards and upwards and the outward movement of the pressure plate assembly tips the extinguisher. forwards. The operator can operate the arm with one hand and catch hold of the extinguisher with his free hand and so obtain the extinguisher very rapidly in the case of an emergency.

The described mounting enables a fire extinguisher to be securely carried on a moving vehicle in spite of shocks or vibration to which it may be subjected, yet at the same time enables the extinguisher to be rapidly removed in an emergency.

Whilst a specific embodiment has been described by way of example it should be understood that other forms and modifications are possible.

For example, compression springs could be provided to bias the pressure plate assembly against the top of an extinguisher and/or an adjustment could be provided for changing the lengths of the toggle or pivot links to suit slightly different sizes of extinguisher. The baseplate of the mounting can be modified according to the shape of the base of the extinguisher with which the mounting is to be used. Instead of the U shaped arm having two descending limbs and a cross-piece at the bottom. a cross-piece could be provided near the top and only one descending limb employed.

The pressure plate assembly can be modified according to the type of extinguisher it is desired to mount. For example, a pressure plate in the form of a round flat plate with a central hole can be used in a mounting for the type of extinguisher having a ring at the top of the body surrounding an operating knob.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate schematically specific alternative embodiments.

In FIG. 3, pressure is applied to the side and front of the extinguisher by a pressure plate 50 and a foot pedal 51 is provided to aid quick release of the extinguisher.

In FIG. 4, pressure is applied to the side and rear of the extinguisher by a pressure plate 52 and a stop 53 is provided for the mechanism. Alternatively the stop could be incorporated in the levers of the over-centre mechanism.

In FIG. 5, pressure is applied to the bottom of the extinguisher by a pressure plate 54. A hoop 55 encircles the back of the extinguisher and operating handles 56 are flared away from the body of the extinguisher to facilitate operation.

Yet another alternative is to use a calliper arrangement to bring pressure to bear on two sides of an extinguisher. If a pair of callipers are provided at the rear of the mounting front access is unimpeded.

The mountings can be used for other objects besides fire extinguishers. for example the hose nozzles and connectors used in fire fighting equipment can be mounted.

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising:

a spine member including fixing means adapted to fasten said member in an upright position to a support,

an extinguisher base support projecting horizontally from the bottom of said spine member, gripper lever means pivotally mounted on said base support remote from said spine member for movement towards and away from said spine member. pressure plate means mounted on the distal end of said lever means,

tension lever means pivotally mounted at one end on said spine member, linkage means pivotally connected between said gripper lever means and said tension lever means. and

manual operating means interconnected with said linkage and levers and arranged to move said linkage and levers to an over-centre position to grip said extinguisher.

2. An extinguisher as set forth in claim 1, wherein said manual operating means projects upwardly from said linkage at about a right angle thereto and is adapted to contact the body of the extinguisher to act. as a stop.

3. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising:

a spine member adapted for fixing in an upright position on a support, said spine member having a generally oblong shape,

a base-plate rigidly attached to the bottom of said spine member and projecting transversely therefrom to receive the base of the extinguisher,

extinguisher gripping means comprising lever means pivotally mounted at one end of the distal-end of said base-plate and having at its other end a pressure applying member arranged to contact the extinguisher body at about the centre thereof, said lever means being movable from a first position in which said pressure applying member is away from the extinguisher body into a second position in which said pressure applying member presses said extinguisher against said spine member,

first and second tension bar means, each mounted at one end thereof on a respective side of said spine member and each projecting past a different side of said extinguisher body,

first and second pivotally mounted linkages connected respectively from the distal ends of said first and second tension bar means to said lever means and adapted to move over-centre when said lever means moves from said first to said second position, and

manual operating means rigidly connected to each of said linkages and arranged so that a portion thereof 6 abuts the extinguisher body to act as a stop when the lever means is in said second position.

4. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising:

a spine member a base plate projecting perpendicularly from said spine member,

gripper lever means pivotally connected at one end to said base plate at a point spaced from said spine member for swinging movement toward and away from said spine member,

tension lever means pivotally connected at one end to said spine member, and

a crank arm pivotally connected at a first point to the other end of said tension lever means and at a second point to said gripper lever means. whereby swinging movement of said crank arm will bring said tension lever means from a first position on one side of said second point, in which the other end of said gripper lever means is remote from said spine member to a second position in which said tension lever means lies on the other side of said second point and said gripper lever is pressed into a position approximately parallel to said spine member to grip an extinguisher therebetween.

5. A mounting as claimed in claim 4 comprising a foot pedal carried by said crank arm to permit swinging of said crank arm by downward pressure on said foot pedal.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QE "HNQATE ()F C0 REQ'HQN PATENT NO. 3,921,95

DATED November- 25, 1975 INVENTORG) VICTOR EDWARD SENTINELLA it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent i are hereiyy coriected as shown below [30] Foreign Application Priorit Data Apr. 12, 1973 United Kingdom. 1777 t/73 Oct. 18, 197?. United Kinqdom u llEQU/Wt fiigned and this twenty-third fiy 0f March 1 976 [SEAL] A ttes t: 

1. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising: a spine member including fixing means adapted to fasten said member in an upright position to a support, an extinguisher base support projecting horizontally from the bottom of said spine member, gripper lever means pivotally mounted on said base support remote from said spine member for movement towards and away from said spine member, pressure plate means mounted on the distal end of said lever means, tension lever means pivotally mounted at one end on said spine member, linkage means pivotally connected between said gripper lever means and said tension lever means, and manual operating means interconnected with said linkage and levers and arranged to move said linkage and levers to an overcentre position to grip said extinguisher.
 2. An extinguisher as set forth in claim 1, wherein said manual operating means projects upwardly from said linkage at about a right angle thereto and is adapted to contact the body of the extinguisher to act as a stop.
 3. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising: a spine member adapted for fixing in an upright position on a support, said spine member having a generally oblong shape, a base-plate rigidly attached to the bottom of said spine member and projecting transversely therefrom to receive the base of the extinguisher, extinguisher gripping means comprising lever means pivotally mounted at one end of the distal end of said base-plate and having at its other end a pressure applying member arranged to contact the extinguisher body at about the centre thereof, said lever means being movable from a first position in which said pressure applying member is away from the extinguisher body into a second position in which said pressure applying member presses said extinguisher against said spine member, first and second tension bar means, each mounted at one end thereof on a respective side of said spine member and each projecting past a different side of said extinguisher body, first and second pivotally mounted linkages connected respectively from the distal ends of said first and second tension bar means to said lever means and adapted to move over-centre when said lever means moves from said first to said second position, and manual operating means rigidly connected to each of said linkages and arranged so that a portion thereof abuts the extinguisher body to act as a stop when the lever means is in said second position.
 4. A mounting for a fire extinguisher comprising: a spine member a base plate projecting perpendicularly from said spine member, gripper lever means pivotally connected at one end to said base plate at a point spaced from said spine meMber for swinging movement toward and away from said spine member, tension lever means pivotally connected at one end to said spine member, and a crank arm pivotally connected at a first point to the other end of said tension lever means and at a second point to said gripper lever means, whereby swinging movement of said crank arm will bring said tension lever means from a first position on one side of said second point, in which the other end of said gripper lever means is remote from said spine member to a second position in which said tension lever means lies on the other side of said second point and said gripper lever is pressed into a position approximately parallel to said spine member to grip an extinguisher therebetween.
 5. A mounting as claimed in claim 4 comprising a foot pedal carried by said crank arm to permit swinging of said crank arm by downward pressure on said foot pedal. 